The department is also hosting public meetings around the state to discuss options for the state’s draft game management plan 2015-2021. The closest local meeting is tomorrow from 7-9 pm at the Red Lion in Olympia.

Dave Ware, WDFW game program manager, said changes proposed by the public will play an important role in shaping hunting seasons and hunting regulations.

“We want to hear people’s comments and concerns, especially those that address a significant conservation or management issue,” Ware said. “We don’t implement every proposal we receive, but we do take a close look at all of them and incorporate a lot of those ideas into the state’s hunting rules.”

Managing wolves after they are no longer classified as an endangered species; and

Possible new rules requiring the use of non-toxic shot.

Final recommendations for the six-year plan will be presented to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for a public hearing in August and adoption in September. Final rules for the 2015-17 hunting seasons will be submitted to the commission next spring.